Zeroing a new rifle - 75 yard range in Bay Area

[Ladyfox]

I'm hoping to get a S&W M&P 15-22 here soon and I stumbled across something while reading various things that I had not known before:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/17_M2.htm

According to this it's a good idea to zero a 22lr, using a 40-grain high-velocity (ultra-high seems to not gain any advantage to this), at 75 yards to avoid overshot of the target. I also found that after about 80 it starts to drop like a stone with an average of a 3 inch to 5 inch drop at 100 yards.

It's been awhile since I've been out to Sunnyvale Rod & Gun but I could swear they're more setup on the rimfire side at 25, 50, and 100 with no provision for 75. Can anyone confirm this and/or suggest a range that has provision for sighting in at 75 yards?

Now, before any of you start with the "I've shot at 100 yards and further" yes I know it's possible and even saw some of the threads listed in the search I did with proof of such. That said, I'm not interested nor plan on shooting anything beyond typical hunting ranges which is between 50 to 75 yards with a 22LR. This is mainly to get my skills back into shape after being rusty for so long more than trying to be a precision shot at long range which I have a 7.62x51 rifle for if I was going that route.

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

seems to me that 75yd would get you a decent zero for most ranges. put the cross hair on the squrrell and going from 50yd shot to 100yd shot isnt going to see a drastic difference in POI. just hold a touch lower or touch higher for mid ranges.

[Southpaw45]

The range at Castro Valley has a 75 yard range..

[erratikmind]

The Chabot Gun Club in Castro Valley has a 25, 50, 75, and 100 yard range right in front of the range office. I was there Sunday afternoon. It was a beautiful day.

[guimus]

The Chabot Gun Club in Castro Valley has a 25, 50, 75, and 100 yard range right in front of the range office. I was there Sunday afternoon. It was a beautiful day.

Minor correction. The short distance at range 1/2 is 20 yards, which has caused me and others minor conniptions for some zeroing exercises.

There is also a 30 yard shotgun patterning lane, as well a handguns-only range with targets at 7/15/25 yards. (And a Friday-only 200 yard range.)

[Merc1138]

I never understood why chabot has 20 yard targets instead of 25...

[olhunter]

Use this calculator -

http://www.handloads.com/calc/

You can put in all the variables and get a precise trajectory. Pay attention to the 'sight height'. It makes a big difference.

So, with a 1200FPS, 40gr RN and a sight height of 2.5", sighted in at 25 yards, it will show that at 20, the impact will be .37 low. So sight in .37 low at 20 and you have a 25 yd zero.

Adjust accordingly for all the variables and you can sight in for any distance using the 20 yard line or whatever you have access to.

[j1133s]

I'

It's been awhile since I've been out to Sunnyvale Rod & Gun but I could swear they're more setup on the rimfire side at 25, 50, and 100 with no provision for 75. Can anyone confirm this and/or suggest a range that has provision for sighting in at 75 yards?

SVRGC has provisions for zeroing at 75yd.

What you do is take a clay pigeon box (located at the back of rimfire area expressly this purpose) and put it out at 75 yards. There are holes on the ground that you use to tell distance; those holes are for silhouette racks and are at just a little over 75yds.

[Hispeed1]

Can't you zero it at an indoor 25 yard range?

[ZOMBIEHUNTER]

I zero my 22's at 50 yards and hold over for longer ranges.

[Stealth]

Go to Fields (Metcalf) -- You can fire a rimfire on the pistol range -- zero on a 25 yard target.

[Ladyfox]

seems to me that 75yd would get you a decent zero for most ranges. put the cross hair on the squirrel and going from 50yd shot to 100yd shot isn't going to see a drastic difference in POI. just hold a touch lower or touch higher for mid ranges.

Normally I'd agree with you on this since, unlike with larger calibers, making a follow-up shot would be pretty easy. However, since I am somewhat using this to get myself back into shooting with a rifle I really would like to try and get things sighted in properly if possible.

Use this calculator -

http://www.handloads.com/calc/

You can put in all the variables and get a precise trajectory. Pay attention to the 'sight height'. It makes a big difference.

So, with a 1200FPS, 40gr RN and a sight height of 2.5", sighted in at 25 yards, it will show that at 20, the impact will be .37 low. So sight in .37 low at 20 and you have a 25 yd zero.

Adjust accordingly for all the variables and you can sight in for any distance using the 20 yard line or whatever you have access to.

Nice link! I'll have to play around with that one a bit when I get some time and when I actually pickup a rifle which should be here soon.

SVRGC has provisions for zeroing at 75yd.

What you do is take a clay pigeon box (located at the back of rimfire area expressly this purpose) and put it out at 75 yards. There are holes on the ground that you use to tell distance; those holes are for silhouette racks and are at just a little over 75yds.

Interesting! Thanks for the info!

Can't you zero it at an indoor 25 yard range?

I could but the cost of going over to Reed's would negate any benefit instead of going to SVRGC. Granted, if they still have the Ladies Night thing going on during the week that could be an option but then I'd have to contend with my hubby having to fend for himself.